About
As outlined within our joint Care Provider Quality Assurance Policy, the Local Authority and NHS Somerset are committed to ensuring that the care provision offered to our residents is of the highest quality. We define this as services that provide excellent care, tailored to the needs of each individual they support. There is an expectation that all regulated services that operate within Somerset are either outstanding or good rated with the Care Quality Commission. Any provider that is unable to adhere to a ‘Good’ rating will be supported to improve.
Both organisations are committed to working with all regulated and non-regulated adult social care providers to share best practice, identify potential quality issues at an early stage, and collectively work to improve quality standards, therefore reducing the risk of business failure and ultimately ensuring people in Somerset are receiving good and outstanding care. This work is also underpinned by our contractual responsibilities in relation to the Adult Social Care Contract Management Policy and oversight of commissioned services and is the statutory duties set out within the Care Act.
We recognise the vital and valuable contribution of our local care market and workforce and seek to support a transparent and productive working relationship between our organisations and all local services supporting people within the local community in our efforts to ensure quality care.
We are proud of the fact that care quality in Somerset compares positively to national averages and monitor performance closely.
Information based on CQC data for end of March 2023:
- 7% of all active social care settings (residential and community based) were rated ‘Good’ or better by the independent regulator;
- 9% of active residential care settings were rated ‘Good’ or better;
- 7% of active community-based adult social care settings were rated ‘Good’ or better.
